Itinerary

1. Day 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

   • Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru) and hike to Simba Camp.
   • Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). 
   • After signing in and preparing the porters, begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest. 
   • Start climbing consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

   Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

   Meals: Lunch & Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Simba Camp

2. Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave

   • Morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with incredible views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

   Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi

   Walking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp

3. Day 3: Second Cave to Third Cave

   • Continue the hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.

   Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft

   Distance: 9km/5mi

   Walking Time: 2-3 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Third Cave Camp

4. Day 4: Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut

   • Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. 
   • The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent.

   Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elevation: 5700m/18,700ft). 
   • Continuing, ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. 
   • Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. 
   • From here, descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
   • Beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks.

   Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

   Down to 3700m/12,200ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut & Drive to Moshi

   • After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. 
   • Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. 
   • At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
   • Expedition vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

   Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

   Distance: 20km/12.5mi

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Forest

   Meals: Breakfast